I have bought this weird item, which looks like a cross between Cleopatra's needle and Blackpool tower (can't spell Eiffel), and altough it is clear glass is has a carnival sheen to it, which shines up blue, green, purple and yellow. The only way to descibe it is to say it looks like petrol on water.

It is lightly iridised. Perhaps the 'letters' are poorly moulded Hieroglyphics, models of Cleopatra's needle were mass produced in a variety of materials - mostly cheap souvenir quality circa 1878 and again in the 20's as Egyptmania developed. Some are good copies others are just stylised fantasies seemingly put together from memory or even a verbal description. I used to get quite a fe through my hands when I had my shop. I still have a nice one made from various coloured stones and marble.

They could also be mdae in US as another obelisk is in Central Park, it is different to the one in London. You should be able to find images with Google and then decide which one it was modelled after, if either - that will give a clue to origin. Or not :roll:

Yes there is clear Carnival Glass. It is clear (crystal) base glass with a pastel iridescence that shows light pink, green gold tones. (For information, marigold Carnival is also on clear base glass, but the iridescence is "orange").

It is not often seen, but Imperial, for example, did make some clear Carnival. If the iridescence is frosted, then it becomes white Carnival.

I haven't seen an item like yours before - and it's fascinating. What a super "find".

Anne, I would call that a pale marigold really. The iridescence on clear Carnival is more of a mix of pale pink, gold and maybe green. Very light and delicate - but with several colours showing rather than just a light golden (orange) effect.

I've seen one or two similar vases to yours before, and like you, I have felt they were Czech. There are some very similar ones shown in the Rindskopf catalogues.

Well, pretty sure that it's not 1880. But beyond that I really do not know - I haven't seen anything quite like it before. It's certainly not USA Classic Carnival. It isn't UK Carnival. I don't know of anything in that colour / iridescence by the major European makers from the main era of Carnival manufacture.

There certainly are novelties in Carnival, and some strange things such as Buddhas and other unusual items. I'll see if I can find out anything more.